Welcome, my friends to this experiment.  Our goals are simple: Establish a network of Hexadec users throughout colleges and universities, through their math and computer (software) departments. Run a simple tournament, using existing prototypes. Begin with Cal & Stanford math & computer departments, then add colleges and universities as we go along, with emphasis on existing rivalries Build a more substantive membership so as to enable us to manufacture our first commercial run. Formalize a four-level tournament — Local (User), Metro (Beta Tester), Regional (Hacker) and National (MasterHacker.) Build a substantial “Pot”, to fund a Hexadec Math Scholarship.   The game we use will be a an adaptation of Texas Hold ’Em, called Silicon Valley File ’em, and chips will be used to represent RAM in three “denominations”: MegBs (silver), GigBs (gold) and TerBs (platinum.) We will hold tournaments on local and metro levels, as travel will be minimal, with no necessity for overnights, so as not to incur undue expenses. No actual money will be involved in the wagering of the game. The GrandmasterHacker will receive two special Original Hexadec Prototypes — one with which she or he may play, and one to keep as a collector's item. Certificates will also be awarded, downloadable at the three levels by those qualifying (the official User Certificate will, of course, go to all who enter. The monetary goal will be to offer modest scholarships in math and computer science (emphasis on programming.) The “Buy-in” will be $16.00, qualifying one to enter the tournament. For that the user will receive a certificate, or certificates, and will be entitled to receive a free Hexadec with entry to the tournament series where new Hexadecs will be available, hopefully by Spring of 2010. We will be playing the first series on the cheap. If we get too many local tourneys going for the number of prototypes we have available, local may have to make their own ‘Hexadecs’ out of regular playing cards, by purchasing two decks, changing the Aces of one to Zeros and to Bits (1s) in the other using white-out, using all six face cards per suit and changing the letters to A through F. Those lucky enough to be living in the San Francisco Bay area will get to use actual, authentic prototype Hexadecs. My intention is that Hexadec will spread virally, through participation, particularly by youth and young adults. They will be encouraged to create “viral” videos, perhaps through some sort of competition. It will spread to their high schools and college and university campuses and, from there, to the home communities of their friends and thus, to other college and university campuses as well. Initiative will be encouraged to promote Hexadec to the broader community, through innovations created by participants. All theses details are, of course, tentative, and much change will be undergone as we experiment. But one overriding principle must rule, which is my personal motto: “If it’s not fun, it’s not worth doing!” If you are interested, first, in being a part of the initial testing and, later, in registering as an Official Hexadec User, click on the frog and let me know! Peace out. Hexadecimally, Daniel Zwickel McJean ben Avram